Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand wants consistency on diving

Ferdinand believes that diving will only be wiped out if it is treated in the same way in championships across the continent.

Written by Agence-France Presse

Read Time: 2 mins

London:

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says diving will only be eradicated if authorities from across Europe come together to address the problem.

The issue made headlines in the Premier League at the weekend after Ferdinand's team-mate Ashley Young was booked for going to ground too easily during United's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

After the game, United manager David Moyes revealed that he had spoken to Young privately and asked him not to repeat his actions in future.

Palace chairman Steve Parish, meanwhile, called for players who try to get opponents sent off by diving to be shown a red card themselves.

Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off for a last-man foul on Young that led to a penalty from which United opened the scoring, despite the offence having taken place just outside the 18-yard area.

Ferdinand believes that diving will only be wiped out if it is treated in the same way in championships across the continent.

"It's weird. It's got to happen across Europe and the world, not just in our league," he said.

"You go into the Champions League and you have been told in the Premier League you are not meant to dive, then you get players from other countries who simulate.

"As a defender, you don't want people trying to con the referee, but if there is contact, the player has the right to go down. It has become a part of our game that, as defenders, we are used to.

"You have got to defend with your head and think how you are going to combat the forwards. They are cute and know how to deal with this type of stuff.

"It is such a difficult thing for referees to say someone dived or there was contact. Retrospective viewing and punishments may be the way to go."

Ferdinand was speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of United's opening Champions League group game at home to Bayer Leverkusen later on Tuesday.